Shawna Hamon of Riverside bought the puppy, named Moo Choo, for the Pennsylvania girl as a Christmas present. Police say after Hamon purchased the dog, a woman she knows from a Pug networking group agreed to deliver Moo Choo to the child in Sacramento. But the dog never arrived and the woman wouldn't give the dog back, police said.
Hamon reported the incident to Riverside police, who found the puppy Wednesday in the Atwater Village area. Police say the woman had learned of their search and was keeping the dog at a neighbor's home.
The pug was returned to Hamon, who now says she will personally fly out to Pennsylvania to deliver Moo Choo. The girl is currently undergoing experimental treatment for her deadly disease.
So far, no charges have been filed against the woman.
